What does the Clinoid process do?

The posterior clinoid processes deepen the sella turcica, and give attachment to the tentorium cerebelli.

What is Pneumatization of the sphenoid sinus?

The sphenoid sinus (SS) is a mucosal lined variably pneumatized posterior extension of the paranasal sinuses. This relationship of the sphenoid cavity to the nasal cavity below and the pituitary gland above makes the transsphenoidal route the surgical approach of choice for sellar tumors.

What does Clinoid mean?

(klī′noyd) [Gr. kline, bed, + eidos, form, shape] Shaped like a bed.

What is the meaning of Pneumatized?

[ nōō′mə-tĭ-zā′shən ] n. The development of air cells or cavities, such as those of the mastoid and ethmoidal bones.

Where is the clinoid process located?

Background: The anterior clinoid process (ACP) is located close to the optic nerve, internal carotid artery, ophthalmic artery, and can be easily injured in an ACP-related surgery.

What forms the posterior Clinoid process?

The anterior, middle and the posterior clinoid processes are located in the middle cranial fossa of the skull. The posterior boundary of the pituitary fossa is formed by the dorsum sellae, the supero-lateral angles of which are raised to form the posterior clinoid process.

Where is the Clinoid located?

Is there asymmetric pneumatization of the anterior clinoid process?

There is asymmetric pneumatization of the anterior clinoid processes with the left side pneumatized. Asymmetrically pneumatized anterior clinoid process may present a diagnostic challenge when seen on MRI and may be misinterpreted as a thrombosed aneurysm or a mass.

What is the pathophysiology of pneumatization of petrous apex?

The air cells of the petrous apex are susceptible to similar pathologic processes that occur in the mastoid segment including obstruction, opacification, inflammation, and infection. Of the pneumatized petrous bones, 4–7% are asymmetrically pneumatized [ 1 ].

How is the anterior clinoid process characterized on CT?

It is easy to characterize on CT. Asymmetrically underpneumatized anterior clinoid process contains normal marrow and surrounding cortical bone, and appears as high T1 iso-T2, non-enhancing structure. Completely pneumatized anterior clinoid process appears hypointense on all pulse sequences and may mimic the flow void of an aneurysm.

How are pneumatic upper petrous apices distributed in the Morimitsu classification?

Poorly pneumatic upper petrous apices were distributed uniformly in three types of Morimitsu classification, but more pneumatic upper petrous apices were found more often in anterior type.